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Hyundai Kona vs Kia EV3 comparison

Compare performance (204 HP vs 265 HP), boot space and price (23,100 £ vs 40,200 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Hyundai Kona or Kia EV3?

Hyundai Kona vs Kia EV3: Key differences

Hyundai Kona

4.4 (7 Reviews)
rate
  • considerably cheaper
  • only slightly more efficient
  • substantially lighter
  • a bit more trunk space
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Kia EV3

4.6 (5 Reviews)
rate
  • markedly more power
  • moderately more electric range
  • markedly quicker 0–100 km/h
details

All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

Kona

Hyundai Kona VS Kia EV3: real-world electric SUV comparison

The Hyundai Kona and Kia EV3 take a similar brief and shape it into two distinctly different everyday experiences. In this Hyundai Kona VS Kia EV3 matchup, the Kona plays the calm, efficient all-rounder, while the EV3 leans into effortless shove and a grown-up EV attitude. Both are easy to live with, but they prioritise different things: the Hyundai Kona keeps stress low through simple controls and thrift, the Kia EV3 through range confidence and relaxed pace. Read on to see which one fits your roads, routines, and passengers better.

EV3

Driving character: ease versus effortless punch

The Kia EV3 feels livelier when you squeeze the throttle, giving quick, confident overtakes without drama. The Hyundai Kona is more about smooth progress: light steering, predictable responses and an easygoing balance that suits busy commutes. Push them and neither chases thrills, but the EV3’s extra muscle makes it feel more composed pulling onto fast roads, whereas the Kona trades that edge for calm, tidy manners. If you want your EV to feel brisk without trying, the Kia EV3 obliges; if you value a soothing, confidence-building drive, the Hyundai Kona is happier in its lane.

Kona

Cabin feel and controls: straightforward versus smart EV touches

The Hyundai Kona’s cabin wins for clarity: proper buttons for key functions, intuitive menus and displays you can grasp at a glance. The Kia EV3 looks bolder and brings smarter EV tools, especially its finely tuned regeneration with a proper one-pedal mode that becomes addictive in town. However, some EV3 climate and assistance settings are buried or partially obscured, while both cars can nag with frequent assist beeps. Day one usability tips to the Kona, but if you’ll actually use advanced EV features daily, the EV3 rewards a little learning curve.

EV3

Space and practicality: big boot versus boot plus frunk

Pack for a weekend and the Hyundai Kona’s luggage area feels usefully square and easy to load, with rear seats that fold in a family-friendly way. The Kia EV3 answers with a large cargo bay of its own and the bonus of a small front compartment for cables or messy bits, which keeps the main boot clean. In the second row, the Kona’s seating position is more natural for adults, while the EV3’s high floor can leave taller passengers with more bent knees on long trips. Families will like both, but if rear-seat comfort for grown-ups matters, the Hyundai Kona has the gentler perch; for split storage smarts, the Kia EV3 pulls ahead.

Kona

Long-distance and charging: sipping versus stretching

Out on the motorway, the Kia EV3 settles into a relaxed cruise and tends to go a bit farther between stops, which lowers range anxiety on mixed-weather days. The Hyundai Kona counters by using less energy in everyday driving, so suburban and regional loops often cost you less per mile. When you do stop, neither car defines the fast-charging benchmark, and the EV3’s charging speed tails off notably as the battery fills, so planning around mid-charge top-ups works best. Choose the EV3 if you value longer legs and easy overtakes on the open road; pick the Kona if efficiency and predictable consumption are the bigger win.

EV3

City manners and ownership value: stress-free versus feature-rich

Both the Hyundai Kona and Kia EV3 are city-friendly, but they go about it differently: the Kona feels light and neatly judged for tight streets, while the EV3’s strong one-pedal driving makes stop-start traffic almost effortless. Noise suppression differs too—Kona stays pleasantly quiet around town, whereas the EV3 can transmit more tyre roar on coarse tarmac at speed. On cost, the Hyundai Kona undercuts the Kia EV3 by a meaningful margin, making it the stronger value play if budget is tight. If you’ll exploit the EV3’s range, punch and EV-centric features, its premium is easier to justify; if you want maximum everyday ease and a lower entry ticket, the Kona fits better and leads naturally into the detailed specs below for fine-tuning your choice in this electric SUV comparison.

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

Kona

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

Hyundai Kona is considerably cheaper – starting at 23,100 £ , while the Kia EV3 costs 40,200 £ . That’s a price difference of around 17,125 £.

In terms of energy consumption, the Hyundai Kona is only slightly more efficient: consuming 14.6 kWh/100km compared to 15.8 kWh/100km for the Kia EV3. That’s a difference of about 1.2 kWh/100km.

As for electric range, the Kia EV3 offers moderately more range – reaching up to 572 km, about 62 km more than the Hyundai Kona.

EV3

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the Kia EV3 offers markedly more power – delivering 265 HP compared to 204 HP. That’s roughly 61 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Kia EV3 is markedly quicker – completing the sprint in 6.6 s, while the Hyundai Kona takes 8.1 s. That’s about 1.5 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Kia EV3 delivers visibly more torque with 385 Nm compared to 265 Nm. That’s about 120 Nm more.

Kona

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Hyundai Kona is substantially lighter – 1,370 kg compared to 1,995 kg. The difference is around 625 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Hyundai Kona offers a bit more boot space – 466 L compared to 413 L. That’s a difference of about 53 L.

When it comes to payload, the Hyundai Kona carries marginally more – 490 kg compared to 485 kg. That’s a difference of about 5 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Hyundai Kona has the upper hand in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £23,100
Kona

Hyundai Kona

  • Engine Type : Petrol, Full Hybrid, Electric
  • Transmission : Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 115 - 204 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 4.6 - 7 L/100km
  • Consumption kWh/100km : 14.6 - 16.1 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range : 380 - 510 km
Hyundai Kona
Kia EV3

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

Hyundai Kona

The Hyundai Kona is a compact crossover that pairs bold styling with practical everyday usability, offering a comfortable cabin and intuitive tech for modern drivers. Available in both conventional and electrified versions, Kona brings lively handling and strong value for buyers who want crossover versatility and standout character.

details

Kia EV3

The Kia EV3 is a stylish, user-friendly electric crossover that focuses on practicality and a roomy, well-equipped cabin. It delivers a comfortable ride with intuitive technology and efficient everyday performance, making it a sensible choice for city and family use.

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Hyundai Kona
Kia EV3

Costs and Consumption

Price
23,100 - 41,900 £
Price
40,200 - 43,900 £
Consumption L/100km
4.6 - 7 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
14.6 - 16.1 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
15.8 kWh/100km
Electric Range
380 - 510 km
Electric Range
572 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
0 - 163 g/km
co2
0 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,370 - 1,773 kg
Curb weight
1,995 kg
Trunk capacity
466 L
Trunk capacity
413 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,825 mm
Width
1,850 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
420 - 490 kg
Payload
485 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol, Full Hybrid, Electric
Engine Type
Electric
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic, Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
115 - 204 HP
Power HP
265 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8.1 - 11.9 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
6.6 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
200 - 265 Nm
Torque
385 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Number of Cylinders
-
Power kW
85 - 150 kW
Power kW
195 kW
Engine capacity
998 - 1,598 cm3
Engine capacity
-

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2026
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, C, E, F, A
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
Brand
Hyundai
Brand
Kia
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.